Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-12-21
-7@-sTAUNToN SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISED

Fer the SPECTATOR.
CAMPING In THE BLUE RIDGE.
A party of four young men were assem-
bled the first night in August preparatory
to camp in the Blue Ridge Mountain. in
spur of the Appalachian system. Ward
was an artist, Bert, farmer, merchant,
&C., Cob an innocent well-meaning boy,
and Roy slack of all trades and master
of nome" They were making out their
various memoranda requisite to their COM
fort while camping, and each was thinking
his best to supply some pursuant necessity.
1t was indeed interesting to read that which
was apparent in their countenances- the
causes of contentment and disappointment.
The artist had detected appearance and
was apparently solilnqulzing thus 81 am
uudone Why does Fate lead me in such
an unpleasant channel and threaten me
with cell in the grim dungeon of Adver-
sity.'' Alas I am detected, yet the
darkest hours are just before day." Can
take courage, and does it lie in my power
to break loose from the grasp of Fate and
leave his dark paths? Now Ill Luck
spreads HIS mantle over me. 0 Time !!
thou measurement of duration, thou art
against me too. Why can she not be left
alone to think of me and wish for my swift
return. Now another is with her, and will
accompany her during my absence. In
tervepting Time entreat thee tNTture me
not. Let not Cupid's dart be hurled by
any other than me. Is it thy mission to
carry away upon the snowy pinions of love
that which is near and dear to me? Whilst
thou leadest me into the paths of adversely
he is permitted to lead her into the land of
Oblivion concerning me. May the fairies
rescue me. l beseech the winged en-
cbantress of the air to take him away and
Jet me rest unmolested. Eurekoi My
friends
realize now the truth of the old adage.
The day dawns he leaves, and SHE can
behold the mountains and know that [ am
there. What variations in life Behold l
was tossed upon the pillows of trouble, now
am reposing upon the shoals of peace and
comfort.
Bert's appearance was less soliloquiz' ng
He was rather elevated upon the tower of
the pleasant remembrances of pleasant con-
versations picturesque sceneries, eloquent
discourses, wild flowers a soft hand and a
gentle heart, and the setting of the mellow
moon with her glorious constellation.
Cob was not celebrating, but assisted
Fate to cast shadows, and the fairies to
drive them away with surbeams.
Roy, literally the king, followed his ar
lnor-bearers with the business of state to
consider. He beheld all, yet professedy
mastered none. His position was one in
general and none in particular.
Their inventory was as follows -
Tent, bedding. cooking utensils, pro-
visions, hampocks, rifles, camera, horse
and wagon. All arrangements for an early
start made, they dispersed. Ward and
Roy broke the rules Of nature which secure
rest and ate hearty meal. The temporary
jnfuence Of appetite was subdued, but
sleep was destroyed, and the irreguiarity
greatly affected their nervous system
Once, twice, Ward sprang out of bed, and
grasped his revolver to shoot an imaginary
dog while Roy was rolling in desponden-
cies and losing his wits in Authorizations.
Wards nervous system was so agitated
that when the $50 O'Clock, A. NJ, alarm
was struck, the bed suffered severe oonvul-
sions. They arose, having deliriously
Gozed about an hour.
At 6:10 A. IL, the party Cob excepted,
but would soon follow was rugged and
started. A more jubilant set could not be
found /; but Roy. who had not recovered
from the preceding night of excess would
have melted an observer to the conclusion
that he had been intoxicated to stupor, and
his comrades to levity and friyolousnsss.
Considering the disadvantages of rough
road, an accident, and steep grade, very
good time was made. At 9:30a height of
about 1900 feet was gained and they stopp-
cd to breakfast. The meal was sumptuous
and the. party appreciative. Their position
was almost inspiring. Far below, stretched
cut in broad sheet between and beyond
the extremities of deep gorges that diverged
was the beautiful Hawksbill Valley, and
in the distance marking the western hoti-
non was the peculiarly-shaped Massanutten
Mountain. 1t was in that picturesque and
romantic place they partook of their morn
ing repast. They ate as they never before
ate. The elevation must have decreased
the attraction of gravity upon their bodies,
especially the upper extremities, and the
lower being of sufficient size and weight
and in close communion with mother earth
was not so affected by the decrease, hence
their bodies expanded and room was plenti-
full, and it was not surprising that they dis
posed of several fat chickens and large
portion of other victuals A small spring
irickled from the mountain side, and they
drank of Its water. New life and vigor
were apparently infused into them from
that little fountain, and the mild and rare
freedom of the soil. Nature was present in
all her fullness and glory. The summit of
The mountain was gained about noou and
they felt as if they were suspended between
earth and heaven, enveloped in the noun
tain cap of fog and out of the jurisdiction of
all civil laws.
Why could they not be lifted up and
borne away upon those snow white pillows
TO some fairy land and finish their lives 10
l,allowed enehantment Here, Prudence
their dearest friend, awoke them from their
Tevfrie and uttered the awful word 'swork'
in their ears. Their air castle dropped and
it was piteous to behold the anguish in
their countenances, for just as they were
entering the land of sublimity they were
rcked by the thorns i'll their way. Roy
could not stand it, for he grasped his swim
chester" and started on the trail Of a
feathered songster that was chanting in
long and repeated walls his death song, for
soon bullet from 27.shooter sent his liU-
tie life into obscurity, or his heaven, and
Roy was suddenly aroused from his intoxi
cation of amusement by the far-of call of
bis comrades; but the bird, blessed be lis
memory, lentehis little life in behalf of his
destroyer to clear away the frown of re-
proach from the brows of his suffering COM
Grades, but the enchantment did not last
long, for Ward dipped his arrow in the
stygian elements of revenge, strengthened
his bow by the aid of the Genii, and sprung
the cord, which sent an arrow into the
breast of Roy, and in tones of low growing
thunder spake: "The murderer shall sure
ly prepare his victim for my consumption. -
40, horrors thought Roy, am 1 doomed
to servitude
They pitched their tent at David's Spring.
The spring contains no extraordinary in
predientS TO Give il Snecial rpDute hnt " is
fountain. A sumptuous feast was prepar-
\ ed, and seating themselves around the
>Viands In japanese style, they cut the tie
which bound them to quiet and civil life,
and gave themselves to merriment. Some
mountain boys, possessors of many peculi-
arities bred by mountain life made their